Classrooms On The Web (NAPSA)—Would you like to know more about cooking? Learn how to find a new job? Create your own Web site? Take a course where your teacher is a published author and expert in his/herfield? Surprisingly, it’s now possible to do all of these things—on your home computer, at your own pace, and often for free. A leading book retailer is helping people get the educational advantage they desire through an online “university” which offers more than 100 courses in liberal arts, information technology, graphic and Web design, writing and language, life improvement and business and office productivity. More than 500,000 people have “graduated” from Barnes & Noble University (BNU)since its launch in 2000, taking instructor-led classes in everything from writing and wine appreciation to project management and computer pro- gramming. Some of BNU’s most popular courses include: Walking Through Shakespeare, Be Your Own PC Doctor, Grammar Fit- ness, Spanish for Beginners from Living Language and Start Writing Fiction by Gotham Writers’ Workshop. The non-accredited program is so popular because students learn at their own pace, any time of the day or night, and can tap into the knowledge of leading experts and room lets students get insight from authors and professors. authors to answer their questions. Courses at BNUalso offer “classrooms” where students can connect with one another. At the center of every course is a message board where students can meet classmates with similar interests, hobbies and careers. Instructors, many of whom are the authors of the books that are used in the courses, interact with their students by answering questions and joining the message board discussions. Dozens of free courses are available each month. A “Premier” curriculum has been added, with courses ranging from $14.95 to $99.95. In these courses, students enjoy smaller classes with more individual instructor attention, and participate in special interactive learningactivities. Newclassesstart the first Monday of each month. To learn more, visit www.bn.com/university.
